More than 80 organizations have called on world leaders convening in Armenia for COP17 to ensure that mining, oil, and gas operations do not encroach on protected and conserved areas, emphasizing that meeting conservation targets requires more than just setting numerical goals.
- Tens of millions of hectares of protected areas overlap with mining and oil concessions.
- Signatories demand conservation commitments be realized beyond paper targets.
- Indigenous and local groups stress the importance of respecting land rights.
What happened
At the COP17 United Nations biodiversity summit in Yerevan, Armenia, over 80 conservation, Indigenous, and civil society organizations released a joint letter urging governments to keep mining and fossil fuel extraction out of protected and conserved areas. This call comes amid growing evidence that large swaths of protected tropical lands currently overlap with industrial concessions, threatening biodiversity and ecosystems.
The letter draws attention to findings from a recent report revealing that approximately 62 million hectares of protected lands overlap with oil and gas blocks, and an additional 43 million hectares overlap with mining concessions. These figures highlight the significant challenges in achieving the global goal to protect 30% of Earth's land and waters by 2030 in a meaningful way that ensures these areas remain free from extractive threats.
Why it feels good
The united stance of diverse groups, from major international organizations like WWF and The Nature Conservancy to grassroots Indigenous communities representing millions of people, signals a powerful collective commitment to genuine conservation. Their advocacy reinforces that protected areas should be inviolable sanctuaries, not zones for resource exploitation.
By emphasizing respect for Indigenous rights and calling for improved management and stronger protections, the letter aligns conservation efforts with social justice. This integrated approach increases the chance of lasting success, fostering hope that these vital ecosystems and cultures can thrive while running counter to the pressures of short-term economic gain.
What to enjoy or watch next
As the global community monitors outcomes from COP17, attention will focus on how governments respond to these concerns and implements the 30×30 biodiversity framework not just on paper but through real-world policies that exclude extractive industries from protected areas. The enforcement of these pledges will be critical for preserving wildlife habitats and Indigenous territories.
Meanwhile, advocates suggest watching for steps to strengthen spatial planning, increase financing for protected area management, recognize Indigenous land rights, and carry out reviews of existing industrial concessions. Progress in these areas could mark important milestones toward a healthier planet by 2030.